Texas quarterback Arch Manning is facing criticism after he laughed on camera while discussing a viral AI-generated video that depicted his head coach, Steve Sarkisian, slapping ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe.
The moment came during a Monday press conference, days after Texas rallied from a three-score deficit to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night. Manning was asked whether he had seen any of the memes that spread online following the game.
“I’ve seen a few AI edits and stuff, but that’s about it. I saw AI edits of Sark’s interview,” Manning said, prompting laughter from reporters in the room.
“Have y’all seen that one? That’s a good one,” Manning continued. “Of him slapping Holly Rowe? That’s hilarious.”
The AI video grew out of Sarkisian’s real post-game interview with Rowe, during which he cut the conversation short, flashed the “Hook ’em Horns” hand sign, and ran off to join his celebrating team. Rowe was left visibly frustrated as she walked away. That exchange spawned a wave of online memes, including the fabricated clip Manning referenced showing Sarkisian slapping Rowe.
Female sports journalists push back
While Manning and the reporters in the room laughed at the exchange, several prominent women in sports media said the moment was no laughing matter.
“Imagine Holly Rowe’s face in that despicable AI video was your daughter’s. Your wife’s. Your sister’s. Still funny? This is gross on so many levels,” wrote Apple TV MLB sideline reporter Tricia Whitaker. “And no, this isn’t people being ‘too sensitive’ or ‘easily offended.’ Joking about this in a room full of media members and seeing everyone laugh like this? Shame on you.”
NFL Network and ESPN reporter Stacy Dales also objected. “Holly is an incredible journalist. If I were in her shoes, I’d cringe. But also, why is this normalized? It’s really not funny. Actually, there is nothing funny here,” Dales wrote.
NBC Sports college football insider Nicole Auerbach criticized the reaction in the room, writing that “the laughter from all the men in the room … so, so gross.”
Former ESPN host Linda Cohn was more pointed in her criticism. “To the moronic hyenas(likely grown men) laughing at the juvenile and irresponsible comment by Arch Manning, what if Holly was your sister, wife, mother or daughter?!?! Would you be laughing then?” she wrote.
Reaction among fans has been more divided, though a number of offended comments have also circulated on social media.
As of this report, Manning has not publicly responded to the criticism.
